4 beautiful day trips from the Lago Maggiore you should know about
If you are visiting the Lago Maggiore in Italy, you already are in one of the most beautiful areas in the country. The North of Italy is a true gem and withholds many stunning places for any traveller´s bucketlist. The Lago Maggiore is not only a great place to visit itself, but as well a perfect base for some unforgettable day trips (or two day trips if you simply cannot get enough). This blog post is all about the best day trips from the Lago Maggiore. It invites you to discover the beautiful area of North Italy and even Switzerland a little bit more. And promise, you won´t regret to spend a little more time at the lake and take your time for some more adventures.
The best day trip from the Lago Maggiore for some more lake views: Lago di Como
Let´s be honest. We all cannot get enough of the stunning views of Italy´s lake. The clear water, the mountains in the background and the typical vibe all travellers are falling for. If this sounds like you and you want to see some more lakes in Italy, we have some good news: Lago di Como isn´t far. Actually the Lago Maggiore and the Lago di Como are neighbors. They can be reached in about a 30 minute drive, depending on where you are. From Stresa to Como town it is around a one hour drive.
And yes, it really is worth a visit. The Lago di Como is famous for the incredible villas, the cute little villages along the water and the dreamy atmosphere. While some would say it is very similar to the Lago Maggiore, it is actually a totally different experience. It invites you to see another part of the stunning country. Plus, you are driving along the waterfront for quite some time and get to enjoy some beautiful views.
If you are only planning a one day trip to Lago di Como or decide to even stay for a night, is totally up to you. Of course, the lake has quite a lot to offer. It is totally worth it to spend a few days and visit the towns of Bellagio or Varenna.
Check out this guide to get all the information you need for an unforgettable trip to Lago di Como.
The best day trip for incredible views of nature: the Verzasca Valley in Switzerland
This is a bucketlist destination for sure. As the Lago Maggiore is both in Italy and Switzerland, it is not far until you reach the boarder. If you are staying in the picturesque village of Cannobio, it is only a 10 minute drive until you reach Switzerland soil. And one of the best areas in this part of the country is the Verzasca Valley. If you have been dreaming of some typical mountain views – this is your chance.
From Cannobio it takes you about an hour to reach the valley. But the beautiful drive already starts at half way as you start driving through the mountain areas with the small villages. It is actually hard to continue driving and not stop at every corner.
The Verzasca Valley offers multiple activities and things to do. If you are ready for a real adventure, make sure to go on a hike and enjoy the views from above. And even if you do not want to hike up the mountains, there are some nice trails leading you through the valley. From the very end of the road, in the small village of Sonogno, you can hike a few kilometers to a waterfall, which is absolutely worth seeing.
And if you prefer a more chilled experience, you can either just drive to Sonogno and stroll through the streets and then drive back to Lavertezzo, where you can spend the day by the river. There are some giant rocks in the river, which you can reach over the famous Ponte Pedonale. Even though the water is freezing, jump in and have a blast!
Plus, you can always combine this trip with exploring the Switzerland side of the Lago Maggiore a little better. This day trip really is flexible and you can plan it however it fits best into your plans. But do not skip it, because this really is a must-do adventure in Switzerland.
The best day trip from the Lago Maggiore to see more of stunning Italy: the Unesco Heritage Site of Santa Maria Del Monte
Ready for a secret tip? This might not be the typical day trip you hear about. The Unesco Heritage of Santa Maria Del Monte is located close to the city of Varese. While Varese itself is quite nice, you should rather plan a trip up to the hills where you will find a true hidden gem. This is a place not many travellers know about and you will most likely only meet Italians on the way up. For some reason, this is not as popular as it should be. But hey, let´s see the good because it allows you to explore this place almost on your own without the annoying tourist crowds. But what is it even about?
Santa Maria Del Monte is actually the church of a very small mountain village located in the center of regional park Campo dei Fiori. But it is not only the church which is worth a visit. The whole village and the location are one of the best day trips from the Lago Maggiore. If you want, you can take the gondola up to the mountain village. Or you can walk the historic trail up from the official entry to the World Heritage site at the end of the Viale del Santuario. The hike takes approximately 40 minutes and leads you along historic chapels and monuments. Once you reach the village, you will be rewarded with stunning views over the area.
In the village, stroll through the alleys or visit the restaurants. They offer delicious Italian food plus incredible views.
One of the most popular day trips: visit Milan
From the Lago Maggiore, it is not too far to Milan. The city is famous for fashion and architecture. For some travellers, it is a must-do to see the city at least once. And Milan is actually perfect for a day trip. There are a few attractions you cannot miss out on and can perfectly be done in a few hours. From the Lago Maggiore, it takes about one and a half hours to reach the city center. Depending on if you are going by car or stopping somewhere on the way to catch the train.
Spend the day walking around the city, visiting the Duomo di Milano or go for some shopping. And of course, enjoy some pizza and drinks.
If you are searching for the ideal itinerary for your Milano day trip adventure, click here.
By the way: you can also combine this day trip with your adventure to Lago di Como. From Como, there is a cheap train connection to the city center of Milano.
